Packaging machine



Jan. 1, 1952 Filed Oct. 22, 1945 H. C. NOE

PACKAGING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR mow 5/1/05 ATTORN EY Jan. 1, 1952 H. c. NOE 2,580,456

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Oct. 22, 1945 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORN EY Jan. 1, 1952 H. c. NOE 2,580,456

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Oct. 22, 1945 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 F 6. :28 lg INVENTOR ZZAMVTM ATTORN EY Jan. 1, 1952 NQE 2,580,456

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Oct. 22, 1945 I 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR fiQ/ioMC/VOL wim ATTORN EY Jan. 1, H c E PACKAGING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Oct. 22, 1945 F/ m... 304 K 3/2 Hllllll INVENTOR HA #010 C /V0 ZAWJ RZWW ATTORNEY r 7 Sheets-Sheet "7 F/QZ)". 80b

32b zsc b as; Hg. 22

H. C. NOE

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Oct. 22} 1945 Jan. 1, 1952 I INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 1, 1952 PACKAGING MACHINE Harold C. Noe, Upper Montclair, N. 1., assignor to Kidde Manufacturing Co., Inc., Bloomfield, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application October 22, 1945, Serial No. 623,748 2 Claims. (Cl. 53 83) This invention relates to packaging machines, and particularly to means for producing completed packages by successively forming, filling and closing the package covers.

One object of the invention is to provide novel means for forming tubular package covers from tape by moving the tape lengthwise, bending it laterally to form a tube, and constituting longitudinal edge margins of the tape as an axially layered seam, or as peripherally overlapping layers of an axial seam, of the tube.

Another object is to provide a mechanism, for producing elements, such as the packages aforesaid, having a plurality of means for performing different operations, the movements of, and between, which are all movements about parallel axes, whereby to eliminate gearing and noise, to simplify the structure, to increase the speed of operation, and to obtain other advantages.

Another object is to provide measuring-feed and knurling means which, by reason of the peripheral measurement and rate of rotation of a feed roller to the pitch diameter and rate of rotation of a knurling wheel, maintain flexible material taut, such as the tape, between the feed and knurling rollers through means for forming the material, as into the aforesaid tube, and accurately measure it relative to severing means for separating the formed material into uniform lengths.

Another object is to provide an elongated member including a bore of smaller circumference than the width of the tape through which the tape passes longitudinally in one direction, a portion providing an axial slot in the wall of the bore in which the edge margins are formed into a layered seam, and a length adjoining the bore having an inner surface gradually changing in the opposite direction from the adjoining contour of the bore to a contour approaching the contour of the tape, whereby the latter may be moved longitudinally at a high rate of speed and effectively formed into a tube.

Another object is to provide novel means for moving elements, such as the severed tube lengths, including a rotatable drum having means for carrying the elements on the periphery there of between element receiving and discharging positions on a fixed path defined by a portion of the drum periphery, and endless-loop or belt means, constantly having a perimetral length defined by such path, movable with the drum for holding the elements thereon, and a reverse- 1y movable perimetral length between the ends of the aforesaid first length spaced outwardly from the latter relative to the drum.

Another object is to provide novel means for tucking closed an open hollow end of a hollow flexible tubular portion of a package cover, as by means for pressing such tubular portion laterally inwardly along axial lines spaced peripherally thereabout from each other to form the tuck folds, and fixing the folds to close the cover.

Another object is to provide novel means for maintaining tension in a flexible element Or tape between a supply thereof and a position of application of withdrawal force, including means for braking movement of the tape that is responsive to starting movement of the tape for releasing the braking effect and to stopping of such movement for causing the braking efiect.

Further objects, not specifically enumerated above, will be apparent as the invention-is described in greater detail in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a filler for a package produced by the machine of the invention.

Figure 2 is a similar view of a cover produced by the machine for the filler of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view showing the filler of Figure 1 as placed by the machine in the cover of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a view of the completed package, in One form.

Figure 5 is a view of a completed package of modified form.

Figure 6 is a view of a cover of modified form for finishing as in Figures 4 and 5.

Figure 7 is an expanded perspective view, or general line diagram, of a machine embodying the invention for producing the package of Figure 4.

Figure 8 is a side elevation of the machine of Figure 7 as actually constructed.

Figure 9 is a view of the opposite side of the machine of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is an enlarged side elevation, partially in section and having distance breaks, of measuring, knurling and severing means embodied in the invention.

Figure 11 is a top plan detail of a cover-tubeforming means of the invention.

Figure 12 is a side elevation of the structure of Figure 11, showing the relation of the knurling means of Figure 10 thereto.

Figure 13 is a view taken substantially along the line [3-43 of Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a side view. partially in section and partially in elevation, of the cover-tube-forming means as viewed in Figure 12, but also showing backing means for a knurling wheel thereof.

Figure 15 is an end view of the structure of Figure 14.

Figure 16 is an enlarged detail end elevation of a drum and associated parts embodied in the invention, taken substantially along the line I6--I6 of Figure 8..

Figure 17 is a'view of portions of the structure of Figure 16, as seen from the left.

Figure 18 is a side elevation completing a view of eigments partially shown at the right of Figure Figure 19 is a side elevation of a modification of the structure viewed at the right of Figure 8 on a table structure thereof.

Figure 20 is an end elevation,'corresponding someivghat to Figure 16, of the structure of Figure Figure 21 is an enlargement of portions at the right center of Figure 19, parts having been omitted.

Figure 22 is an end elevation of Figure 21, corresponding to portions of Figure 20.

Figure 23 is a sequence diagram to the scale of Figure 26, but illustrating operations better understood from Figure 22.

Figure 24 is a. view similar to Figure 13 of a modification of the structure thereof for producing the modified cover of Figure 6.

Figure 25 is a view of structure behind Figure 24 as seen in the drawing.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates an elongated cylindrical filler 26 adapted to be thrust endwise by the machine into a tubular cover. The flller 26, in this instance, comprises an outer cylindrical shell 22, of cardboard or the like, having a radially outwardly extending flange 26 at one end, and removably containing a solid cylinder 24 of highly compressed absorbent material, such as sterilized medicated cotton which, when subjected to a'liquid, becomes several times its compressed size and extremely soft. A string 25 is secured to the cylinder 24, and normally protrudes from the end of the shell 22 opposite the end flange 23, as indicated.

Figure 2 shows a cover 26 produced by the machine in the form of a thin paper tube made from tape 26 on a roll 66 of Figures 7, 8 and 9, and having an axial seam 6| made up of peripherally lapped layers 62 crimped together, as indicated by knurling marks 64.

Figure 3 illustrates the filler 26 as having been thrust by the machine into the cover 26 to an intermediate position, leaving end lengths 66 of the cover protruding beyond the ends of the filler, and the string 25 folded between the side walls of the filler 26 and the cover 26.

Figure 4 shows the arrangement of Figure 3 after it has had its end lengths 66 squeezed shut and knurled or crimped closed by the machine, as indicated by marks 61, to form a completed packa e 66 The above structure and procedure are to be described in connection with Figures '7 to 18 showing the machine of the invention in one form.

Figure 5, in wh ch corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numerals having the suflix (a), shows a modified form of finished package 66a in which a cover 26a is formed exactly as in Figures 2 and 3, but which, instead of having its end lengths 66a. merely flattened and provided with the crimps 64. as in Figure 4, has its end lengths 26a of substantially crimped closed, as indicated by marks 61a.

The package oi? Figure 5, which is also adapted to receive the filler 26, is illustrated in connection with Figures 19 to 23, showing a modified portion of the machine of Figures 7 to 18 for this the machine otherwise being the same parts of Figures P -D as for handling and forming the 1 to 4.

Figure 6, in which correspon n Parts are designated by corresponding reference numerals having the suiilx (b), shows merely a cover 26b, which is a modification of the covers 26 and 26a. Instead of having a seam, such as the seams 3| and am of the previous figures having layers disposed in peripheral lapped relation to each other, the cover 26b is provided with an axial seam 6Ib having layers 62b protruding from the side of the cover 26!) crimped together, as indicated by the knurling marks 240. The cover 26b is adapted to receive the filler 26 in the same manner as in the previous figures, and to have its end lengths 36b finished either as in Figure 4 or as in Figure 5.-

The structure in general Referring to Figure 7, in which various of the mechanisms have parts omitted and are shown diagrammatically or in outline, to be described in detail later, and which omits practically all superstructure or stationary supports whereby the sequence operations and results may more readily be understood, the machine comprises, in general, driving means P including a power shaft 42, a pulley 44 on the shalt 42 and a belt 46 operating between the pulley 44 and a driven pulley 46, on a shaft C, of means F having the combined functions of driving an index mechamsm 56 and a mechanism 52 for pushing the fillers 26 into the covers 26.

The shalt C aiso carries, in this instance, a sprocket 54 for a chain 56, which rides on a sprocket 56 on a shaft S, a sprocket 66 on a shaft K, a sprocket 62 on a shaft M, and on idler sprociiets 66 and 64.

The machine further comprises, inits sequence of operation, a standard 66 supporting the tape roll 36 and a tape tensioning device 16, cover length measuring means A including a measuring or feeding roller 12 on the shaft M, a holding device 14 including an idler roller I6 for holding the tape on the measuring roller I2, 8. tube former l6, seam knurling means B including a knurling wheel 66 on the shaft K, cover length severing means E including a cutter 62 having a hub 6I on the shaft S, an air chamber device 64 for urging the covers 26 into axially extending peripheral recesses 66 on a drum 66, and a drum shaft D carrying in addition to the drum 66, an indexingdisc 66 of the mechanism 66, and a gear wheel 62. The air chamber device 64 is supplied with air by a conduit 65.

The indexing disc 66 carries cam follower elements 64 protruding axially from one side thereof for cooperation with a cam 66 on the shaft C for imparting intermittent rotating movement to the shaft D and the drum 66.

The gear wheel 62, on the shaft D, engages a pinion 66 on a shaft I66, which also carries knurling wheels I62 at opposite sides of the drum 66 for effecting the end knurls 31 of Figure 4. The wheels I62 receive the cover ends 66, which protrude from the sides of the drum 66 for position between the wheels I62 and idler backing wheels I64 to effect closing and knurling of the ends 36.

a roller II6 below and to the right of the drum,

and a roller II8 on a shaft I20 outwardly to the right from the roller H0.

The drum 88 thus, has means for carrying the cover and package elements on the periphery thereof, between element-receiving and discharge positions G and H, on a fixed path defined by a portion of the drum periphery, and the belt I08, although always progressing during its operation, constantly has a perimetral upper length defined by such path, and extending from the roller II to the roller H2. The belt also has a reversely movable bottom length, between the ends of its upper length, which is spaced radially outwardly from the latter relative to the drum.

In this instance, the shaft I20, which is driven by the belt I08 and carries the roller II8, also carries a roller I22 for an endless belt I24, which extends to, and around, a roller I26 at a position X for receiving the fillers 20. The belt I24 conveys the fillers to a receiving apron I28, see also Figure 16, beyond which they are pushed, one at a time, to drop into the path of a push rod I30 in the filler pushing mechanism 52 for successive lengthwise thrusting into the covers 26, as they arrive and stop at a position W in line with the rod I30.

The mechanism 52 further comprises a circular disc crank I32, on the shaft C, having a stub shaft I34, parallel and eccentric to the shaft C, on which a connecting rod I36 is journalled, at one end, and has its other end pivoted on a pin I38 intermediate the ends of a lever I40.

The lever I40 is pivoted, at its lower end, on a pin I42 mounted on a stationary part of the machine, and has, at its upper end, a fork I44, the arms of which embrace a block I46 fixed to the rod I30 and carrying side rollers I48.

The rod I 30 is supported, and guided, by wheels I50 and I52 mounted on stationary parts of the machine, and has a depending arm I54 between which and the lever I43 extends a spring I56 for constantly urging the rollers I48 against the fork I44 in the operative pushing direction, and for positive pushing by these rollers in the reverse, or withdrawing, direction. Thus, if, for any reason, the machine jams at or near the position W, the rod I30 will stop, while the lever I 40 continues to operate until the machine is stopped, which may be quickly effected, as will appear.

A tensioning idler pulley I58, at the left of Figure 7, for tightening the belt 46 relative to the pulleys 44 and 48, rotates on a shaft I60 fixed at one end of a crank arm I62 having its other end secured to one end of a shaft I64, which is journalled in bearing blocks I58 at the inner side of crosspieces I6I of the table I84, see Figures 8 and 9. The other end of the shaft I64, at the right of Figure 7, carries a crank arm I66 for a connecting rod I 68 extending to a lever I10 on a shaft I12 mounted on a stationary part of the machine. An operating handle I14, for the lever I10, normally engages a stationary stop pin I16 in the operating position illustrated, in which the rod I68 and the lever I10 have upwardbuckled out-of-line relation to each other, and in which they are held by pressure of the belt 46 6 on the idler pulley I58. By moving the handle I14 to the left, as viewed in Figures '1 and 9, the rod I68 and the lever I10 are reversely or downwardly buckled, and release of the idler I68 is effected by a substantially snap action under pressure by the belt 46.

General operation In operation, generally, as to Figure 7, with further details of construction and operation of the various parts to be given hereinafter, the machine is indicated as in operation, it being a point of particular note that the movements of, and between, the driving means P, the cover length measuring means A, the seam knurling means B, the cover length severing means E, and the means F are all movements about parallel axes.

The tape 28 is drawn, by the measuring wheel 12, from the roll 30, and directed, through the tube former 18, to the knurling wheel 80. The wheels 12 and have a relation, to be described later, whereby both measure the length of the covers 26 before the latter is severed and, at the same time, maintain the tube length taut between the wheels.

In passing through the former 18, the tape is gradually laterally bent from its fiat tape form into a blank or uncut tube I18 having the edge margins 32 as spirally overlapped longitudinal seam layers, which are knurled, or secured, together by the wheel 80. The tube I18 is pushed by the wheel 80, past the severing means E, to the position G in the air chamber device 84. The position G corresponds to the leading end of each successive cover length 26, which is cut at its trailing end by the cutter 82.

Upon this cutting, each cover 26 is blown gently, by the device 84, into one of the recesses 86 in the drum 88 which, at the time is stationary, but which resumes its movement by operation of the indexing mechanism 50, to be carried under the belt I08 to be held thereby.

Upon reaching the position W opposite, or aligned with, the push rod I30, with the drum 88 again stopped, the cover 26 receives the filler 20 which is pushed by the rod I30 longitudinally endwise into the cover to a position, corresponding to that of Figure 3, having the end lengths 36 protruding beyond each end of the filler, and beyond each side of the drum.

As the covers 26, thus filled, pass between the knurling wheels I02 and the backing idler wheels I04, at opposite sides of the drum 88, the cover ends 36 are folded together by the wheels in layer relation along the cover axis, and the layers knurled or secured together by the wheels, to close and complete the finished packages 38, indicated in Figure 4.

The above description, in this instance, completes the general cycle of operation of successively producing finished packages 38, which are then carried by the drum 88 to the drum discharge position H and the roller II2, where they are discharged from the drum, with the assistance of means not shown in Figure 7, but which will be later described in connection with Figures 16 and 17. Thus discharged, the packages are deposited onto the top side of the upper section of the belt I08, and carried by the latter to the above-mentioned point J of disposal, to the left of Figure 7 and shown in Figure 8.

The reciprocating motion of the push rod I30 is effected by the rotation of the shaft C, which turns the disc I32 and causes the connecting rod I36 to oscillate the lever I40 about its stationary 7 pivot pin I 42, this operation also being effected with precision in relation to the intermittent rotation of the drum 88.

The rotations of the measuring wheel 12, the knurling wheel 88, and the cutting wheel 82 are continuous, and the intermittent actions of the drum 88, the push rod I38tlmed to operate during the interval of travel of each successive cover 28 from the cutting wheel 82 to the position in the air chamber device 84 and onto the drum 88.

In case it is desired to stop the operation of the machine suddenly, as may occur upon the entry into the mechanism of a defective or damaged section of the delicate tape 28, or for other reason, in connection with the delicate materials and precise handling required, it is only Detail structure Referring to Figures 8, 9 and 16, the machine parts above set forth are assembled on a table I84, having a pair of elongated top plates I88,

a lower shelf I88 for supporting a motor and reductlon'gearing of the drivin means P, and legs I98. A bracket I92, on the table I84, supports a base plate I94 sloping downward from left to right in Figure 8, and from right to left in Figure 9, on which the shaft M is supported by bearings I98, the standard 88 is secured, as bybolts, and the shafts K and S are supported, as by bearings I98 and 288, respectively. The shaft K is provided with a handwheel 282 for a purpose later appearing. The idler pulleys 82 and 84 are secured to the bracket I92, as by a bar 284. The drum shaft D is journalled in bearings 286 and 288 on bars I85 spanning the table top bars I88 over blocks I81.

As seen in Figure 9, the idler roller 18 is journalled at the outer ends of arms 2I8, the inner ends of which are pivoted on a shaft 2I2 in a bearing 2 on the base plate I94.

The rollers I58 and I52, supporting the push rod I38, are mounted on blocks 2I8 and 2I8, respectively, secured to a side of the bracket I92. The lever I48 is pivotally mounted by the pin I42 in a block 222 secured to the underside of the table top I88, and the shaft I84 is journalled in the blocks I59 on the table cross pieces 6|. The shaft C is journalled in bearings 224 on the table top. The pin I12 is mounted in one of the table legs I98.

Measuring-knurling-severing Referring to Figure 10, the measuring means A comprises the measuring roller 12, the circumferential or peripheral extent of which, during one revolution, is a measure of the length of each cover 28, whereby, with each revolution, it draws such length of the tape 28 from the tape roll 38, and directs it toward the tube former 18. The tape 28 is transformed from its flat shape, at the roller 12, to the shape of the tube blank I18, at the knurling means B, by the tube former 18, later to be described, a tapered section 228 of the tape in Figure indicating progress of this transformation.

The knurling wheel 88 has knurls or peripherally spaced radial projections 288, the diameter of a pitch circle 232 of which is identical with the diameter of the roller 12. The teeth of knurls 238 cooperate with corresponding projections 23I on an idler or backing knurllng wheel 233, see Figure 14, to be further described in connection with Figures 14 and 15.

Therefore, with the roller 12 and the wheel 88 rotating at the same speed, the projections 288 and 23I indent the flexible tape of the blank tube I18, whereby the tape, by reason of its flexibility, is pulled slightly in advance of its delivery from the roller 12 at a constant rate and maintains the tape taut between the roller 12 and the wheel 88 in the progress of the tape through the former 18. By this action and means, uniform cover lengths are assured, as they would not be if the flexible tape were allowed irregular flexibility or play between the roller 12 and the wheel 88. The roller 12 and the wheel 88 may, of course, be constructed each to rotate more or less than once to measure any given cover length, so long as the pitch diameter of the teeth of the wheel 88 is the same as the diameter of the roller 12 and the rates of rotation of the roller and the wheel are the same.

After having been formed into the tube blank I18, the latter is less flexible than the flat tape, and it is pushed by the wheel 88 to the severing means E.

The severing means E, therefore, at each revolution, cuts off a uniform and predetermined length of the blank, which length is determined by the relative speeds and circumferences of the feed roller 12 in relation to one revolution of the shaft S.

A stationary knife or shear blade 235, supported by a block 231, secured to the underside of the base plate I94, has its edge 239 at a line U across the blank I18 substantially tangent to the bottom surface of the blank and substantially meeting an edge 238 of the knife 234 at this point after the edge 238, while moving with the blank, has collapsed the top of the blank along lines R, such that the blank, at the meetin edges 238 and 239, has its entire periphery flattened for shearing by the edge 238 as backed by the edge 239.

The cutting wheel 82 further comprises side discs 238 of slightly greater radius than the knife 234 and embracing the blank I18 and the covers 28, whereby to act as shields for the knife and as guides for the tube and covers.

Tube former Referring to Figures 11, 12 and 13, the tube former 18 comprises, in this instance, an elongated, one-piece sheet-metal member 248, including a bore portion 242 of smaller circumference than the width of the flat tape, peripherallyoverlapping radially-spaced portions 244 providing an axial slot 248, Figure 13, in the wall of the bore 242, in which edge margins V of the tape, indicated by dotted lines in Figure 11, are formed into the seam 3I having the layers 32. The member 248 has a length 248, adjoining the bore portion 242 at a position 258, an inner surface 252 of which gradually changes its form, in direction opposite to that of the tape travel, from the contour of the bore, at the position 258, to a contour at an opposite end 254 of the member 248, which approaches the contour of the flat tape. In other words, the member 248 is of substantially horn-shape having the inner surface of its length 242 generally defining the outer contour of the blank I18, but having the portions 244 in peripherally or spirally overlapping spaced relation to each other to provide the axially extending slot 246, in which one of the layers 32 of the seams 3| is laid over the other layer.

The length 248 of the member 248 has, in this instance, an upper slot or opening 256 of substantially V-shape, edges 258 of which diverge from a point substantially coincident with the position 258 to the end 254, and provided with laterally inwardly and downwardly sloping, and generally axially extending, edge margins 268 spaced from adjacent portions of the member 248 to embrace and guide the edge margins V of the flat tape 28, such that they will become the layers 32.

After the tape has been changed into the tubular form, at about the position 258, the bore portion 242 holds this form for a distance such that the tube is set against quick lateral separation of the layers 32 before they are knurled together. The outlet of the bore Just about clears the knurling wheels 88 and 233, which quickly grip the-layers before the latter can separate.

Referring to Figures 14 and 15, which correspond to Figures 12 and 13, but which include elements omitted from Figures 12 and 13, the former 18 further comprises an angle member 262, see also Figure 9, for mounting the former 18 on the bracket I82, to which member 262 the member 248 is secured, as by clips 264 and screws 266. A stud 268, secured in the angle member 262, supports a pivot pin 218, on which is pivotally mounted, at one end, a rod or bar 212 extending from the stud 268 to a position at which it supports a pivot pin 213 for the wheel 233.

The rod 212 is pivoted, by a pin 214, to an inner end 216 of a screw 218 extending loosely through an opening 288 in the member 262 and carrying a, thumb nut 282 for moving the rod 212 upwardly, as illustrated, through the intermediary of a spring 284, surrounding the screw and bearing between the nut 282 and the member 262. The cooperatively knurled wheel 233 acts as backing means against which the knurling wheel 88 presses the layers 32 in knurling or crimping the layers together.

In initially threading the tape 28 through the former 18, the screw 282 is turned to relax the compression of the spring 284, and to lower the backing wheel 233 away from the layers 32, whereby the tape may be threaded past the wheel 233. After this threading, the nut 282 is reversely turned to yieldably tighten the wheel 233 against the layers 32 by just the right amount of pressure to insure effective knurling.

The handwheel 282 is provided on the shaft K to pull the blank I18, after threading, to determine the exactness of the adjustment of the wheel 233 by the nut 282, before starting the machine by turning the handle I14 to the right to its operative position shown in Figures 7 and 9.

, Drum Figures 16, 17 and 18 illustrate, in further detail, parts above set forth, in association with the drum 88, showing, amongst other items, that the belt I24 conveys the fillers 28 onto the apron I28, which constiutes a portion of a chute 288 having a top baffle or deflector 288, see also Figure 9, which, with the apron I28, curves inwardly to the left, and downwardly, to a semi-cylindrical 10 bottom 282 axially aligned with the head I3I of the push rod I38 and with one of the drum recesses 86. The chute 288 is supported between end blocks 284, indicated also in Figure 8.

The air chamber device 84 is indicated of substantially Z-section, with an open side 286 directed downwardly and forwardly to direct each cover 26 into one of the drum recesses 86 at the receiving position G, after which the covers pass under the roller H8 and the belt I88 to be held in position by the belt as it is driven by the drum 88.

The idler backing knurling wheels I84 are mounted on shaft portions 286 carried by upright levers 288 at opposite sides of the drum 88, which levers 288 are pivotally mounted, at the lower ends, on pivot pins 388, and are pivotally connected, at the upper ends, as by pins 382, to horizontal rods 384. The rods 334 are slidably mounted in angle members 386, and have screw threaded outer end portions on which thumb nuts 3I8. see Figures 9 and 18, are mounted. Springs 3I2. around the rods 384, extend between the angle members 386 and the thumb nuts 3| 8 to urge the wheels I84 toward the wheels I82 by forces determined by adjustment of the nuts 3I8. The wheels I84 may be moved away from the wheels I82, at any time, by pushing the rods 384 to the left, as viewed in Figures 16 and 18.

The point of tangency, between the wheels I82 and I84, is on a pitch circle 3I4 of the peripherally-spaced axially-extending drum recesses 86 such that, as the protruding ends 36 of the covers 26 pass between the wheels, these lengths 36 are flattened and provided with the crimps 31, as shown in Figure 4.

The drum 88 is provided with circumferential recesses or grooves 3I6 into which rods 3 I8, shown in Figures 8 and 17, and at the left of Figure 16, protrude from a bridge 328 having end piers 322, which bridge also carries rods 3I8 at the sides of the drum. The rods 3I8 are arranged, as shown, such that, as the completed packages 38 are carried by the drum past the rods 3 I8, the packages are urged out of the drum recesses 86 onto the belt I88 at the point H of discharge for conveyance to the point J of disposal. From the latter point, the belt I88 returns over the roller II4, past the lower side of the drum 88, in spaced relation thereto, to the roller II6, under the latter, past the right-hand side of the drum, as seen in Figure I6, in spaced relation to the drum, to the roller H8, and over the latter to the roller II8.

Tape tensioning means The tape tensioning means 18, see Figures '7, 8 and 9, comprises an arm 328 depending from a pivot pin 338 at the upper end of the standard 68 above the axle 332 on which the tape roll 38 is mounted. The arm 328 carries a weight member 334 intermediate its ends, and, at its lower end, carries a pin 336 on which a roller 338 is :mounted. A brake band 348 is fixed at one end, as by a pin 342 on the standard 68, and extends part way around a brake drum 344 to means 346, such as a rivet, securing the band to the arm 328.

The arrangement is such that the roller 338, tends, at all times, to rotate the roll 38 in its unwinding direction, which rotation is stopped by the setting of the brake band 348 against the brake drum 344, when the machine is stopped. and maintains a length 348 of the tape 28 between the roll 38 and the measuring wheel 12. The adjustment is such that the tension in the length 348 is maintained substantially constant a 11 at all times when the machine is operating, and the weight member 3 absorbs the shock of a sudden start.

The device 10 further comprises usual means for mounting and removing the roll 30 including a hand knob 350, Figure 9. and other elements.

Tucking means Figures 19 to 23, inclusive, illustrate a modifi cation of parts of the machine above set forth, as to the pinion 88, the shaft I00, the knurling wheels I02 and the backing means I04, which are for producing the ends 38 of the package in Figure 4.

The mechanism of Figures 19 to 23 is for producing the tucks 30 and the crimping 31a in the ends 38a of Figure 5, the machine being otherwise the same as above set forth. Accordingly, corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference characters, and modified sirnilar parts are designated by corresponding reference characters having the subscript (a), as in Figure 5.

In this instance, instead of having the pinion 98, and associated parts, at the right of the gear wheel 92, as viewed in Figure '7, a pinion 88a is located at the left of the wheel 92, and knurling wheels 102a, backing wheels 104a, and tcking means T are correspondingly located to prrduce the tucks 40 and the crimping 31a of Figure 5. The pinion 98a is fixed to a shaft 10 11 which is journalled in bearin s 358 on piers 322a of a bridge 320a, and carries knurling wheels l02a.

The backing wheels l04a are each mounted on a shaft 288a carried in a block 358 on a lever 298a having a lower end block 360 pivotally mounted by a pin 300a. The latter is mounted in a block 382 on a lower horizontal end length 384 of the pier 322a secured to the cross bar I85.

An angle member 366, on the bar I85, supports a journal 368 for a shaft 310 carrying a sprocket wheel 312 at one end and having a portion 314 of reduced diameter carrying a vane 318, this vane being just below the wheels 102a and 104a and directed generally tangentially to the pitch circle 3| 4 of the recesses 88 of the drum 88 tangent to which circle the pitch circles of the wheels MM and l04a are located. The shafts 310 are parallel to each other and to the shafts C, M, S, K, and P. A stationary vane or blade 318 is mounted on the pier 322a at an angle thereto corresponding to the change in direction of the pitch circle 3 from the direction of the latter at the point where the movable vane 318 engages the cover 28a, the upper edge of the stationary vane 318 also being located as close as possible to the point of tangency between the wheels [02a and Ma and still clear the knurls or teeth of these wh els.

The pressure, of each backing wheel 104a against its wheel M211, is effected by a tension spring 380 connected between the lever 288A and a screw 382 held in the pier 322a by a thumb nut 384 for adjusting the tension of the spring.

The sprocket wheel 312, to the left of Figure 19, rotates counterclockwise, and the wheel 312, to the right, rotates clockwise, such that the vanes 318 thereof approach the corresponding end length 380 of the covers 28a from beneath, as may be better understood by reference to the diagram of Figure 23.

As each cover 28a passes the vanes 316, each of the latter moves upwardly, from below the cover, to press the end of the latter laterally inwardly or upwardly along an axial line of the cover,

assumes 12 making an inverted substantially V-dent or fold 388, the vane 318 moving with the cover, but faster, while so doing and until after the cover meets the stationary vane 318 which forms a V-dent 388. The vane 318 just clears the wheel mm and the vane 318 to the left of the latter, asviewed in Figure 22. I

The vanes complete the V-dents 388 and 388, which draws or flattens the sides of the cover inwardly to substantially wedge shape at its end recesses 88.

/ M odifled tube former Figures 24 and 25, in'which corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference 25 characters having the suffix (b), show a modification 18b of the tube former 18 of Figures ll, 12 and 13, for producing the cover 281) of Figure 6.

The elongated member 240b, although it could be positioned such as to have the opening 258!) at the top, as in the case of the corresponding opening 258 of Figure 13, or in other position, is turned about ninety degrees clockwise relative to the member 240 as shown in Figure 13, to have the opening 25Gb facing. to the right in Figure 24.

This feature provides for having slot-forming portions 244!) projecting to the right such that the seam 31b and its layers 32b also project to the right of a blank tube 118b, whereby a knurling wheel 80b and its backing wheel 23317 may have the shafts Kb and 2131) thereof, respectively, also parallel to each other and to the shafts C, M, S and P.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that a packaging machine has been provided which is entirely free from bevel gear wheels, in that all the movements in its transmission at each side of the indexing mechanism are about axes parallel to each other, rendering the machine ex- 50 tremely simple in construction and quiet and effective in operation, in which the covers are accurately and rapidly measured, formed and seamed, in which the fillers are inserted, the cover ends are closed and secured, and all of the aforesaid advantages, as well as many others, are obtained in a manner rendering the invention a distinct advancement in its field.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts here- 0 in, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in any limiting sense.

5 It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

I claim:

1. In a packaging machine for forming tubular.

cover members and inserting filler bodies therein, the combination of a drum rotated about a substantially horizontal axis and having transof cooperating cutting elements adjacent said stantially horizontal axis and having transverse recesses in the periphery thereof for receiving a cover member, means for forming a continuous tube and delivering a length thereof towards said drum, cutting means including a-pair of cooperating cutting elements adjacent said drum arranged for severing the tube length crosswise and thereby provide cover members, one of said cutting elements being arranged to move in a direction towards said drum while engaging the tube and thereby move the'cover members severed from the tube length towards said drum, a chamber construction adjacent said drum partially enclosing the cover members upon delivery 14 to said drum, and air blast means including an opening in said chamber construction for directing such cover members into said recesses of said drum.

HAROLD C. NOE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in'the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 11,750 Meisel June 13, 1899 1,465,921 Herz et a1 Aug. 21, 1923 1,961,126 Becker June 5, 1934 1,977,713 Becker Oct. 23, 1934 1,986,422 Zowyer Jan. 1, 1935 1,992,463 Berger Feb. 26, 1935 2,014,227 Conti Sept. 10, 1935 2,068,407 Goldstein et al. Jan. 19, 1937 2,075,392 Goldstein et al. Mar. 30, 1937 2,082,633 Johnstone June 1, 1937 2,090,448 Jahne et al. Aug. 17, 1937 2,118,336 Birr et al May 24, 1938 2,127,772 Horn et al. Aug. 23, 1938 2,145,636 Scharf June 31, 1939 2,246,043 Heinmets June 17', 1941 2,285,263 Fitch June 2, 1942 2,322,430 Fay June 22, 1943 2,355,879 MacFarlane et al. Aug. 15, 1944 

